How to Get
Webmasters to Link to Your Site
by
Darla Cole
http://www.newbiehangout.com/articles/incoming-links.htm
Raising Your Link Popularity
Search Engine traffic is the #1 source of traffic on the internet
today, so a good listing is vital to your sites success and longevity.
If you're not listed in the first couple of pages in the search engine's
(SEs) search results pages (SERP), you won't be getting many visits from
the SE's, if any.
Most Search Engine Optimization (SEO) specialists and webmasters can agree that link popularity plays an important part in your websites perceived value (including your Google Page Rank - "PR")
What many webmasters don't consider is the QUALITY of in-bound links pointing to your site also plays a role. A significant role in your sites ranking. Lots of high-quality in-bound links can help boost a page from popular to being in the "top 10" of a search engine's search results page (SERP).
Another benefit of quality Reciprocal links, is the related traffic you will gain from them. If you can get several links from these high quality, related sites, the traffic you can expect from them is about the same as you can get from a good search engine listing. And the visitors have already been "qualified", that is, they're interested in what you have to offer, which can mean a high conversion rate for your sales products.
But the big question, that I hear everyday is "How Can I get Webmasters to Link to My Site?"
Fortunately, it's a fairly simple question to answer. There are several methods you can utilize that will encourage other webmasters to link to your site:
1. The simplest method: Just ask! Ask the webmaster for a link. If
you have a service that can add value to their site, by being of
interest to their visitors, then write the webmaster a short, polite
message requesting the link and explaining how this will be mutually
beneficial.
Here's a good example: Our site is geared towards "newbies" or
internet beginners. Site A sells software for authoring or creating
websites. Since our site is about helping and learning (without
competing with Site A) our site would be of interest and beneficial to
the other sites visitors, and to both webmasters, in effect "extending"
our perceived value, once again.
2. Banners - Have them on your site with a link saying something to the effect "Link to Us" and have several types of links available: banners, buttons, text links. You'll be surprised how many people will link to you just by seeing the available links!
3. Offer to "joint venture" with the other webmaster. Exchange something for a link. Maybe you have a software download they can use, or you do design and consultation services. You can offer a free consultation or a one page design in exchange for the link to your site. Joint ventures are at the core of the most profitable arrangements on the net today ... and you can take the joint venture a step further. If you have something their visitors would be interested in, you can arrange for the link and the other webmaster earns a percentage of the profits for displaying your item/merchandise.
4. Newsletters and Ezines - Take the time to build a list and create a newsletter. Newsletters are extremely popular and when people are reading them, they are more "relaxed" and responsive. If you have a good newsletter, your readers will recommend you to others. And you can ask for links in your newsletter!
5. Articles. Write about topics of interest that are in your field of expertise. This is one of the best methods of "getting the word out." Offer to let other webmasters use your articles on their websites, as long as they include your "resource box" at the end of the article. A resource box is simply your author information: Name, field of expertise, website, possibly an email address and a link to subscribe to your newsletter. This can be your most important method of receiving traffic to your site.
6. Ebooks. Much like the Newsletter and Ezines. Information is THE product on the net today. Write some ebooks in your field of interest and make them available for download. Or you can even offer to let webmasters distribute your ebooks in their ezines and newsletters. And each one of your ebooks has your site description, area of expertise and links pointing to your site in it. Can you see the possibilities? How many free Ebooks can you give away?
7. Reciprocal links: Reciprocal links add value to your site as well. However, incoming links to your site "weigh" heavier with the search engines than reciprocal links. But get all the quality reciprocal links you can! A good way to do it is to look for sites that come up under a related keyword. Look for sites that compliment, without competing with your site. Then, place a link to their site on your site, and contact the webmaster, compliment them on their site (it got you interested enough to want to exchange links) and request a reciprocal link. Provide them the address of where their link is located on your site. You'll find most webmasters to be happy to exchange links in this manner.
8. If you're into automation, JV Maximizer is one of the best tools I've found for finding related sites, joint venture partners and a wealth of information on potential link partners and competitors. It's extremely easy to use and will give you all the information you may need on sites based on keywords you choose. It's an extremely powerful tool and will save you tons of time, and therefore, money.
If you practice all of these regularly, weave them into your routine until they become habit, you will be able to see your link popularity and search engine rankings rise to new heights!
About the Author Darla Cole, along with her partner Kleavell, own and manage Bronze 2 Platinum Hosting and Technologies, a successful, personal and affordable web hosting company. Darla also manages The Newbie Hangout a site aimed at helping the new webmaster succeeed.